New Media: Oct. 14, 2012

Here's a quick look at the week ahead in entertainment, in which a pine tree and a seal play crucial roles:

Movies

“Paranormal Activity 4”: Having taken over the Halloween franchise title from “Saw,” the found-footage fright flick now has to fend off such pretenders as “Sinister” and “House at the End of the Street.” Based on the trailer, which is unsettling while — true to form — revealing very little, that shouldn't be a problem.

Music & Stage

“Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted”: Why is this ongoing animal tale superior to its prehistoric rival “Ice Age”? For one, when it adds new critters, they're interesting characters, not just celebrity cameos — especially Sonya the bear, who tolerates King Julien's romantic entreaties; and Stefano, a seal of average intelligence. Then there's the semi-surprising ending, more Thomas Wolfe than “Wizard of Oz.” And the penguins. Can't forget the penguins.

ALSO: “Chernobyl Diaries,” “Moonrise Kingdom,” “That's My Boy”

DVDs in stores Tuesday

CDs

A Fine Frenzy, “Pines”: It may be best not to read too much about this CD, which sprouted from an ecological fable about the sole surviving pine tree in a once thriving forest. Just listen. Singer-songwriter Alison Sudol has made a lovely, assured record that, musically at least, brings that forest to vivid life.

“The Bone Bed,” Patricia Cornwell: Early on in the latest Kay Scarpetta mystery, an iPhone video surfaces that looks like a clue in the case of a missing paleontologist, and a primordial-looking sea turtle is caught in a line that also has entangled a corpse. If this is foreshadowing, something dangerous from the star medical examiner's past is sure to be dredged up soon.